Who is a good candidate for an Abdominoplasty ("Tummy Tuck")? People that have excess of skin and grease accumulated in the lower part of the abdomen and that cannot be corrected by means of exercise and diet.  Generally they are patients that had significant losses of weight. 

What does the consultation consist of? During the first consultation, Doctor Andres Mejia evaluates the general state of health and determines if the patient is suitable or not to complete the procedure. All doubts are clarified, success of expectations is defined; procedure and type of anesthesia are explained, same as the institution clinic where the intervention will be carried out. Depending on the skin elasticity, the weight and the patient health condition the quantity of surplus skin and grease to subtract is estimated.  This depends on if is planned to lose or to gain weight in the future. 

How is the procedure carried out? The most common technique consists in undertake a cross incision along the lower part of the abdomen, above the pubic zone.  Another incision is necessary to release the navel of the skin around.  The skin is separated from the abdominal wall and it is elevated to the level of the side wall in order to be able to stretch it conveniently.  At the same time the abdominal muscles that use to be distended are reapproximated, obtaining a reinforcement of the abdominal wall and a narrowing of the abdomen to the waist level.  The excess of skin is cut and a small orifice is opened to locate the navel in its new location, which coincides with the previous one.  The stitches use to be internal and re absorbable, therefore they do not require to be withdrawn.